Rapp, Alleva Top Olympian Meet

Jenny Rapp and David Alleva of Starlit Aquatic Club swam away with overall individual meet honors in last night's final session of the three-day Olympian Invitationial swim meet at Starlit.

Alleva, who led in points at the start of last night's competition, won the men's 1,500-meter freestyle in 16:38.82, 34 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor, George Carpouzis of Terrapin Swin Club, to edge Charles Orth of Philadelphia's Foxcatcher Club for individual honors, 50-45.

Alleva says his advantage is in conditioning. "Everybody else took a break (after the indoor junior nationals in April), but I didn't," he said. "I didn't get out of shape.That's why I did so well."

Starlit Coach Holger Dietze agreed with Alleva's analysis. "He's really motivated and his condition was prompted by that motivation.

"He showed his versatility. He is not a one-event swimmer. Now he's convinced he can swim on the top level."

Rapp finished with 68 points in the women's competition, eclipsing her closest competitor, Patty Gavin of Foxcather, who had 49 points.

Rapp won a total of six events in the three-day meet, including last night's 200-meter backstroke in 2:26.10. She also set a local record in the 200-meter individual medley Friday night with 2:24.83.

Foxcatcher Coach George Haines, who was picked to head the United States Olympic team, was unimpressed by the field. "Nobody is really in condition, although there are a couple of good swimmers out there and Jenny Rapp is swimming very well," he said.